We have looked at where solar has been installed, and the trends that have emerged. Today we're going to have a look at the large scale success stories, and overall market share.
The graph below shows companies that self-register STCs who have registered more than two systems exceeding 30kW in 2012, and the associated size and the state of installation. The lower half of the chart shows the same information stacked, where each boxed area represents an individual system in this range.
Now, this is only a subset of the market, as many smaller solar businesses are particularly successful in commercial PV but use an aggregator to register STCs and are thus hidden from view. Still, it is clear to see that there are some businesses having repeated success in commercial PV.
Infinity Solar leads the way with over 1MW of 30kW-plus installations, most of which are in Queensland. Todae Solar registered three 100kW systems in NSW, plus a host of others. The graph also speaks of local success – only two companies have installations cross more than two states: Energy Matters and Ingenero. The rest have been concentrated in one state with possibly a single installation in a second state.
The competitiveness of the solar industry as a whole is attested to by the limited market share of its leaders. True Value Solar is the clear market leader in most states and yet only manages to secure 7.4 per cent of market share. Indeed, five major PV retailers only hold 15 per cent of the national market share. This is a highly competitive industry.
The table below is an extensive list of known PV systems exceeding 40kW in size. This list is not exhaustive, but is the most complete list of large PV systems in Australia (this list is regularly updated and lives on SunWiz's website). Listed are 30MW of systems exceeding 100kW in size. Keeping track of large-scale systems helps SunWiz advise the government and industry organisations about the growth of commercial PV in Australia, and helps solar businesses make valid marketing claims about where individual systems are ranked. (If a system is not listed, please provide details via the website.)
Name | Total Capacity (kWp) | Date Commissioned | Companies |
Greenough River Solar Farm, Geraldton | 10000 | Oct-12 | Verve, GE Financial Services |
Mildura CPV | 2000 | Planned H1 2013 | |
University of Queensland | 1221 | 2011 | Trina, PowerOne, Ingenero |
Newington Atheletes' Village | 1100 | 2010 | BP Solar |
Adelaide Showground | 1000 | 2009 | Solar Shop, Built Environs, |
Uterne | 969 | 2011 | SunPower, Satcon/SiClean Energy, Power and Water, Solar Cities |
KJM Contractors | 495 | May-13 | Trina, Power1, Ingenero |
Kalkarindji | 402 | ||
Fraser Coast Community Solar system | 401 | Being installed | |
NEXTDC | 400 | May-12 | |
Singleton | 400 | 1998 | Energy Australia |
Dandiiri Contact Centre | 396 | 2011 | Conergy, SMA, Sun Elec, Glenzeil, Kane Constructions |
The Wharf (Sydney Theatre Co) | 384 | 2010 | Suntech, SMA, DCM |
Griffith University | 380 | Feb-13 | Sunpower, Stowe Electrical |
Ernabella (Umuwa Community) | 350 | 2003-2008 | Solar Systems |
Townsville RSL Stadium | 348 | 2012 | Ergon |
Ti Tree | 324 | ||
Alice Springs Airport | 308 | 2010 | SolFocus, SMA, Ingenero, CAT Projects |
Crowne Plaza Hotel | 305 | 2009 | SunPower, SMA, CAT Projects, Odgen Electrical, Investnorth, |
Marble Bar | 304 | 2010 | SunPower, Horizon Power |
Ballarat Solar Park | 300 | 2010 | Sharp Solar, Origin, Central Vic. Solar City, PSG Elecraft, Powercor |
Bendigo Solar Park | 300 | 2010 | As Ballarat |
Carnarvon | 290 | 2012 | |
Lajamanu (Community) | 288 | 2006 | Solar Systems |
Hervey Bay Hospital | 266 | 2011 | |
Yuendumu Community | 240 | 2005 | Solar Systems |
Perth Zoo (walkway and roof) | 237 | 2011 | |
De Bortli Winery | 230 | Oct-13 | Hanwha Q Cells, The Solar Project |
Ferngrove Wines | 227 | Jul-13 | Great Southern Solar |
Alpurrurulam | 226 | ||
Kings Canyon | 225 | 2003 | Shell, PSA, Ecoenergy, Satcon, SiClean Energy, Ogden |
Nullagine | 203 | 2010 | SunPower, Horizon Power, PowerCorp |
Queensland University of Technology | 202 | ||
Johnson & Johnson | 200 | 2010 | Sanyo/Energy Matters /SMA/Apollo Energy |
Metricon Stadium (Carrara) | 200 | 2010 | Stowe Electrical |
Queen Victoria Market | 200 | 2003 | BPSolar Multi / Origin/Melbourne City Council / ?SMA |
Hermannsburg Community | 192 | 2005 | Solar Systems |
Desert Knowledge Precinct | 170 | 2010 | Various |
Araluen Arts Centre | 162 | Under constr. Jul-2012 | Q-Cells, Ingenero |
Kogarah | 161 | 2003 | Unisolar Roof integrated BP Solar BiPV Glass |
Mt Isa | 154 | 2010 | Q-Cells |
Monash Clayton 85 | 154 | 2011 | Eging, SMA , Maxim Renewable (Developer/PM), Vibrant Energy Solutions (Designer); Ecotech Electrical (Installer) |
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef HQ Aquarium | 153 | 2011 | |
Hamersley Iron | 151 | 2003 | |
Australian Wool Testing Authority (WA) | 150 | Aug-13 | Conergy, SMA, Infinite Energy |
Galaxy Mine | 150 | 2011 | LG, Swan Energy |
Olympic Boulevarde | 150 | 2000 | BP Solar |
Kamberra Winery | 146 | 2012 | |
Symonston | 144 | 2012 | Aide, Photon Energy |
Tyree Energy Technologies Building, UNSW. | 141 | 2012 | |
Quality Press | 141 | 2012 | |
Fyshwick | 140 | 2012 | Aide, Photon Energy |
Bridgewater (Solar Systems Bendigo R&D) | 140 | 2008 | |
ANZ Head Quarters | 138 | 2011 | Lendlease |
Rigby House - Coffs Harbour | 137 | 2010 | Kyocera/SiClean Energy (Solar Inverters) /Power One |
Willoughby CC | 135 | 2011 | SMA, Schott |
Sandvic Mining – Hunter Valley | 132 | 2012 | |
5 Murray Rose Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park | 130 | 2012 | Lendlease |
Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation | 130 | 2010 | Solar Frontier, SMA |
Windorah Solar Farm | 130 | 2008 | Solar Systems, Ergon Energy |
Newman Airport | 120 | 2011 | SolarChoice |
Monash Berwick | 118 | 2011 | SMA, Clenergy |
Adelaide Airport | 114 | 2009 | BP Solar, Solaris Technology, Hansen Yuncken |
Bradshaw (Defence Dept) | 113 | 2005 | Department of Defense |
Perth Arena | 111 | late 2012 | UNLTD Solar, Perth Solar City, O'Donnell |
Coca Cola - Eastern Creek | 110 | 2009 | BPSolar , Blacktown Solar City |
King Island Solar | 110 | 2008 | KI Solar Pty Ltd (CBD Energy) |
University of Queensland, Gatton | 107 | Aug-12 | Infinity Solar |
200 Collins – Hobart | 106 | Aug-12 | |
CSIRO Newcastle | 102 | 2003 | BP Solar, Donovan Electrical, John Holland |
Richmond Football Club (microinverter) | 100 | 2013 | Yingli, GreenStar, MetroSolar |
Mount St Benedict College | 100 | 2013 | Canadian, Fronius, SolarChoice |
Flair Cabinets (VIC) | 100 | 2013 | Munchen, Zhenfa |
Blacktown RSL | 100 | 2011 | SolarSwitch, Solyndra |
Cadbury Schweppes (Huntingwood) | 100 | 2008 | BP Solar, Donovan Electrical, Blacktown Solar City |
Local Government Super | 100 | 2010 | Eco-kinetics |
Emerald Gardens Motel and Apartments | 100 | 2012 | Green and Gold |
Milner Primary School | 100 | 2011 | Suntech, SMA |
Casa d’Amore | 100 | 2012 | Gold Coast Energy, Conergy |
Wilpena Pound | 100 | 1998 | AGL, Advanced Energy Systems, Solarex |
Campbelltown Civic and Arts Centre | 100 | 2013 | |
Botanica Bar (WA) | 100 | 2013 | SMA |
University of Western Sydney | 100 | 2011 | RFI, Suntech |
Blacktown Sports Club | 99 | 2013 | SolarChoice |
Blacktown Workers Club | 99 | 2013 | SolarChoice |
Magnetic Island Solar Skate Park | 99 | 2011 | |
Diab Engineering | 99 | 2013 | SMA, Infinite Energy |
Cockburn Integrated Health & Community Centre | 99 | Due 2013 | |
Port Macquarie Library | 99 | Jul-12 | |
Euston Bowling Club | 99 | 2013 | SolarChoice |
Hilton Manufacturing (Tracking) | 99 | Oct-13 | UpSolar, ABB, Hilton |
Club Sapphire | 95 | 2013 | SolarChoice |
Parkes Administration Centre | 98 | 2013 | Solco |
Newcastle Works Depot (Waratah) | 91 | Oct-12 | GWM Engineering |
Balgownie Estate | 90 | 2013 | Yingli, SMA, Enviroshop |
Barossa Vintners | 90 | 2013 | Q-Cells, the Solar Project |
Emerald Hotel | 90 | 2012 | |
Rutherglen IGA | 90 | 2013 | Zen |
Bordo International | 85 | 2012 | Daqo SMA Energy Matters |
Thompson Pies (Gateshead NSW) | 83 | Mar-13 | Current Generation Technology, ET, Schneider |
Mark Pidcock Toyota (Lismore) | 80 | Mar-13 | SAE Group, ZN Shine, Growatt |
Exquisine (VIC) | 80 | Aug-13 | Yingli, SMA, EnviroGroup |
Carnarvon Park | 80 | Since 2000 | |
Derby Shed | 80 | 2011 | SolarChoice |
Jacques Coffee Plantation | 80 | 2011 | |
Tamworth Airport | 80 | 2012 | LG |
Adelaide Hills Toyota | 80 | 2013 | SMA, A Class Electrical |
Narelan Library | 80 | 2013 | SMA, Trina, Solar Technology Australia |
SOPA building 46 | 77 | Feb-08 | |
Mackay Regional Council | 76 | 2011 | SolarWorld, SMA |
Wagga Rules Club | 76 | 2013 | SolarChoice |
Monash Clayton 10 | 71 | 2010 | EnviroGroup, SunPower, SMA |
Sydney Superdome | 71 | 1999 | Canon, SEA, Energy Australia |
Dubbo Western Plains Cultural Centre | 70 | 2012 | Solgen, SMA |
Cockatoo Island | 67 | 2011 | Schott, SMA, Solgen |
Stockland Greenhills | 67 | 2012 | Stockland, First Solar, SMA |
Building 46 | 64 | 2007 | Solarex/SMA (when refurbished) by GMC Engineering |
Homebush Wetlands | 64 | 2000 | Solarex/SMA (prev Advanced Energy) Solar Technology Australia |
William McCormack Place | 64 | 2010 | SunGrid, SMA, Laing O'Rourke, |
West Coast Institute Training | 62 | 2012 | SMA |
Monash Incubator | 62 | 2013 | Yingli, SMA, Enviroshop |
Toyota Maitland | 62 | 2013 | REC, SMA |
Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club | 62 | Sep-12 | Infinity |
Australian Technology Park – NICTA | 62 | 2011 | SMA, Tianwei |
Dovara Solar Farm | 62 | 2011 | SolarWorld, SMA, Infinity |
Wimmera | 60 | Aug-13 | CSUN, Power1, ABS, |
Pymble Ladies College | 60 | 2011 | Autonomous Energy, Kyocera, SMA |
Brisbane Airport | 60 | 2012 | SolarWorld, SMA, Infinity |
Maroochydore Government Office Building | 60 | Feb-12 | |
Midland Atelier | 60 | 2010 | SunPower, SMA |
Moorooka | 60 | 2010 | Suntech, SMA, Ingenero |
The Summit Solar Farm | 60 | 2011 | |
William Buck Centre | 60 | Unknown | |
Monash Business Incubator | 60 | 2013 | Yingli, SMA, Envirogroup |
Allansford and District Primary School | 58 | 2010-11 | |
ANU | 56 | 2006 | ANU, Rheem |
Bulman | 56 | 2002 | NT Power and Water, |
Murdoch University Library | 56 | 2010 | SunGrid, SMA, Laing O'Rourke, UNLTD Solar |
Redfern Oval | 55 | 2013 | Yingli, SMA, Solgen |
Brisbane Lions Clubhouse | 55 | 2011 | Conergy, SMA |
UQ Heron Island | 55 | 2010 | |
Impulse Entertainment | 64 | Mar-13 | Trina, SMA, Infinity Solar |
Townsville Civic Centre | 53 | 2011 | Schott, SMA, Solgen |
Inland Fisheries Tasmania | 53 | 2011 | SMA |
Leopold Sportsmans Club | 53 | 2013 | Tianwei, SMA, New Generation Solar |
Hammond Care Miranda | 52 | 2013 | Suntech, SMA |
North Head, Manly | 52 | 2010 | SMA |
Veolia Arndell Park | 51 | 2011 | BP, SMA |
Ausgrid Learning Centre | 51 | 2011 | |
Arndell Park , NSW | 51 | Feb-12 | |
TASPAWS - Maria Island | 51 | ||
Parkes Library and Cultural Centre | 50 | 2012 | Solco |
Adelaide Central Bus Station | 50 | 2008 | BP Solar, Solaris Technology, Mpower |
Adelaide Central Market | 50 | 2011 | BP Solar |
Bankstown Council | 50 | 2009/2010 | SMA, LJW Solar, Solar Technology |
BCC - Rooty Hill Works Depot | 50 | 2011 | SMA, BP Solar, Solar Technology Aus, Blacktown Solar City, Soltech |
Blacktown City Council Works Depot | 50 | 2011 | |
Keylink Industrial Estate | 50 | 2010 | BP Solar |
Mackay TAFE | 50 | 2010 | |
Queanbeyan | 50 | 1999 | Solarex / PSA/Solar Technology Australia |
Rundle Latern | 50 | 2009 | BP Solar |
Western Plains Zoo | 50 | 1997 | Solarex / PSA/Solar Technology Australia, soltech |
Campbelltown Public Library | 50 | 2011 | Designer/installer: Mpower |
Crescent Head Country Club | 50 | 2013 | SolarChoice |
Bay and Basin Leisure Centre | 50 | 2011 | SMA, Schott |
Central Institute of Technology, WA | 49 | 2010 | SunPower, SMA |
Nursery Traders | 48 | 2010 | |
Randwick City Council Works Deport | 48 | 2009 | Solgen, |
Sydney Town Hall | 48 | 2010 | Suntech, SMA, Stowe, City of Sydney |
Melbourne University | 46 | 2002 | BP Solar, ARUP, Solar Technologies |
Dexus Property Group | 46 | 2012 | REC,SMA |
Warwick Johnston is managing director of Sunwiz Consulting.
This information above regularly appears in Sunwiz’s monthly Insights subscription publication. This article was originally produced by Sunwiz. Republished with permission.
